Ghana Math App Now Teaches in Dangme Language

Ghanaian students struggling with math might soon find the subject easier to grasp, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership bringing lessons into their mother tongue.

The Lawerh Foundation and educational tech company AyaPrep signed an agreement on December 10 to develop a mathematics module entirely in the Dangme language. The digital tool will be integrated into AyaPrep's mobile app, which already helps students across Ghana prepare for national exams.

Dr Issaka Lawerh Tetteh, who leads the Lawerh Foundation, says the problem isn't that students can't do math. The real issue is trying to learn complex concepts like algebra and geometry in a language they're still learning themselves.

"When a young learner first encounters abstract concepts in a language they are still mastering, it creates an immediate cognitive hurdle," Dr Tetteh explained at the signing ceremony in Accra. He describes the initiative as treating the root cause of poor math performance, not just the symptoms.

The project takes a careful approach to quality. A team of math experts, language specialists, and education professionals will work together to ensure mathematical concepts translate clearly while staying true to Dangme culture and context.

Dr Tetteh, a native Dangme speaker from Ayikuma, drew inspiration from his own classroom experiences watching language barriers block student understanding. His foundation is funding the entire development and integration process.

The Ripple Effect: This partnership could reshape how Ghana approaches education equity. The rollout begins with curriculum mapping and standardizing Dangme dialects, followed by content creation and pilot testing in schools across the Shai-Osudoku District and other Dangme-speaking areas.

If successful, the model opens doors for other Ghanaian languages to join digital learning platforms. Students across the country could soon learn in the languages they speak at home, removing barriers that have held back generations of bright minds.

"This is about reclaiming our heritage and using it as a tool for national development," Dr Tetteh said.

The full module will launch publicly through the AyaPrep app after pilot testing proves its effectiveness, giving thousands of students a fair shot at mastering mathematics in a language that makes sense to them.